AUK hosts a lecture on Milestones in Kuwait's History

The Gulf Studies Center at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) hosted a lecture on Tuesday February 23 by Dr. Maymounah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University (KU) and the President of the Historical Society of Kuwait. Dr. Al-Sabah specializes in the Arabian Gulf modern and contemporary history, she is a well known Kuwaiti historian with more than 5 volumes on the history of Kuwait. 

In her first visit to AUK, Dr. Al-Sabah tackled three major topics: important turning points in the history of Kuwait, the first generation of leaders' role in building the modern state, and the current generation's responsibility in shaping the future of the nation.

Dr. Al-Sabah stated that extensive research by historians on the topic of the existence of Kuwait and its structure as an independent country has shown that it was never under any political systems in the modern age. Dr. Al-Sabah also pointed out that there was evidence confirming the establishment of Kuwait as a country as early as the year 1613 AD when the small castle with twenty cannons, that was known by the name of "Al Kout" was established and as the artifacts of Alexander the Great on Failika attest. The lecturer noted that it was built by the Al-Sabah family, who settled with the tribes of Anza and lived together in the area which surrounded the castle.

The whole coast was apparently called Al-Kareen, and some fishermen and Bedouin travelers who moved around searching for water and land lived in the area. Although some believe that Bani Khaled were the first rulers of Kuwait, the lecturer pointed out that there was evidence that proved that Al-Sabah were the first to rule Kuwait and that the relationship that tied them with Bani Khaled resembled a very strong alliance formed on the basis of a strong friendship. However, Al-Sabah were not under the power of Bani Khaled.

Dr. Al-Sabah stressed that claims that Kuwait was just a part of Iraq were proven false and were developed by the late Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein. Since Kuwait's inception, she asserted, the country has not lawfully been under the sovereignty of any other foreign power and that it was not a part of the Ottoman Empire that was ruling Iraq at the time. "The people of Kuwait are known for being fiercely proud and protective of their freedom," Al-Sabah declared, citing the writings of numerous historical scholars including V S Naipaul. "Kuwait's independent sovereignty has always been of paramount importance to its people and its rulers," she continued.

Al-Sabah then narrated the many stages of Kuwait's history in which it resisted any kind of foreign control. Throughout history, when Kuwait would sign an accord with a more powerful or influential entity, as they did with the Ottoman Empire or the United Kingdom, such agreements were only ratified to preserve and protect the nation and never to secede its lands or sovereignty in any way. As for any claims by Iraq's supposed sovereignty over Kuwait, Al-Sabah dismissed those claims as completely baseless and unworthy of mention as numerous historic documents from within and outside Kuwait can attest.

For his part, Head of the Gulf Studies Center at AUK Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi who was hosting the lecture announced that starting this semester, AUK will be offering a course titled "Kuwait Modern History" to be studied in English, and that the University was looking forward to working with the Literature Department at KU to develop student and academic exchange between the two institutions.

History is a way of knowing the past, seeing the present and visualizing the future, remarked Dr. Al-Sabah, she then emphasized the importance of preserving Kuwait's history, and her pride that a course on the history of Kuwait is now a requirement at Kuwait University. She expressed her hope that a similar course will eventually become a part of the required curriculum at all universities in Kuwait.

"I hope for more interest in the history of Kuwait; I really feel that Kuwait's history is not always given its proper due," Al-Sabah stated. She articulated her commitment to the cause of history. "The entire Historical Society of Kuwait is in service of Kuwait's history and we welcome any students to benefit from our knowledge. We hope that they will eventually feel as passionate about history as we do," she said.

At the conclusion of the event, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nizar Hamzeh presented Dr. Al-Sabah with a crystal plaque on behalf of AUK's Board of Trustees to show their appreciation for what he described as an invaluable lecture.
 

Dr. Maymounah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University (KU) and the President of the Historical Society of Kuwait